Of course @StormySeas17 I'd love to tell you some of my favourite things I've learned. I really have enjoyed learning about the specific counselling skills, in my classes we get to form 'triads' which allow us to practice the techniques that we are learning about. This means that one person is the 'counsellor' one person is the 'client' and the other is an observer. It is so daunting, but each time I do these practices I feel better and more confident. I also enjoy learning about the different theories-Attachment Theory is very interesting!! ... View more

1. I'm caring and loving 2. I always have space for people within my day to listen, chat or message 3. I'm neat and organised ... View more

I will just tag a few people to get this thread out and about :) @xXLexi_Lou122Xx @sidekick-bot @TawnyOwl @hellofriend @Andrea-RO @Bananatime04 @JETBLESSING @Eden1717 @Starfish7 @StormySeas17 @WheresMySquishy ... View more

@StormySeas17 Thanks for this thread! I'm not studying Psychology but I am studying a Bachelor of Counselling.. so very similar and I'd love to contribute anyway :) Why do/did you want to study psychology (Counselling)? I enrolled in my course because I was really NOT enjoying my full-time job in childcare. I was stressed, exhausted, burnt out and the lack of care for the educators in my centre was not good. I've had my fair share of struggles with anxiety and anorexia and I really felt I had more to offer in my existence. Being an ear to listen for someone who may be struggling, connect with others and serve a greater purpose then my self. I'm interested on doing counselling with children and adolescents, for a few reasons: 1. I already have a whole lot of knoweledge about children due to my previous studies and years of work within that early childhood care industry. 2. Throughout my studies I'v found that a lot (not all) of peoples conerns, issues and struggles seem to relate back to en expereince they had during their childhood. Or have developed certain core beleifs about themselves, the world and life in general from their early childhood experiences and even directly from their parents/caregivers. What makes you most excited about it? That I could potentially have an impact on someone's life, for the greater good. Whether it by creating a safe space for them to talk and experience emotions or to allow someone to grow and understand themselves. What makes you scared about it? I'm in my last year of studies and what scares me is something called 'performance anxiety'. Feeling like I don't know how to counsel someone and feelings of not being 'good enough'. I also am scared because I know that I am not yet fully recovered from my eating disorder and I can not help or be a counselor when I am still unwell myself. So this is something I am very aware of, and something that is of high concern of mine. Thank you for letting me share :) ... View more

@Starfish7 firstly I'd like to thank you and acknowledge that this is such an important thread. Anxiety affects everyone. Every. single. person. who is alive will experience some form of anxiety throughout their life. However, for some of us, the experience may be more intense and more frequent. All of these techniques are amazing! Thank you for sharing @StormySeas17 @hellofriend @Bananatime04 @StormySeas17 @Wolfie_ For me, fresh air and some time outside really helps ease my anxiety. If I'm experiencing really intense and overwhelming anxiety I place one hand on my heart and one on my tummy and focus on feeling them rise with my breath. I find when im in the midst of heightened anxiety counting breaths or doing 'box breathing exercises' is too much and I cant focus cognitively (They certainly have there place and are helpful to some). But for me personally, really focusing on my hands rising on my stomach or heart is really grounding. Focusing soley on the physical feeling. Getting out of my head. ... View more

1. Im studying a Bachelor of Counselling 2. I like watching the planes take off at the airport 3. I started drinking decaf coffee 4. Movies make me bored 5. I make high flow acrylic paintings ... View more

Hi @TawnyOwl, This sounds like a really tough situation for you. You mentioned that she is your best friend, would you feel comfortable in letting her know your sexual orientation? If that goes well, maybe you could take the next step in letting her know your feelings towards her. I want to just highlight and say thank you for sharing this with us, it can be really tough navigating sexuality and possible relationships and feelings-especially when it's with an already close friend. I can relate to having feelings fr friends, however, after LOTS of journalling and self-discovery, I acknowledged they were just 'crushes' and found them attractive rather than actual romantic feelings. Good luck with however you decide to go about this. ... View more

Today I practiced self-care by getting up for an early morning walk and then having a coffee at home while I journaled. ... View more

@Wolfie_ Self care strategies don't always have to be the "typical" ones that you usually hear off. The special thing is that everyone is unique. And what will work for one person might not work for another. Well done for identifying these three activities as de-stressing and therapeutic ... View more

@musicfan_xo That is fantastic to hear that the new GP was good. Kudos to you for having the courage to see the new GP despite feeling very anxious about it. ... View more

Right now I am feeling.. Grateful that I can spend the weekend at my mums house and get to spend some time with my siblings. ... View more

@musicfan_xoIt is completely understandable for you to be feeling anxious about seeing a new GP. An advantage is having it at the same clinic, that way there is somewhat some familiarity.  ... View more

Today I practised self-care by sleeping in this morning, I feel much more awake and refreshed after a really busy and long weekend ... View more

@drpenguin Definetly, let me know how you go :) ... View more

Hi @Jessica123, Firstly, thank you for sharing this with us, it takes a lot of courage to express your thoughts and worries. Personally, I feel I can relate to you a lot. I am in a relationship with my boyfriend, how ever have had previous relationships with girls. I still find myself at times being attracted to other females and I a very open with communicating my sexuality, needs & worries with my boyfriend. Speaking to others about this can be really helpful in gathering all your confusion and thoughts before going to speak to your partner about this. Take your time, it sounds like you have a strong relationship being for 5 years, so allowing yourself time to process this is absolutely fine. (In my opinion). I agree with @Bre-RO , checking out a LGBT+ support service would be really helpful and they're really lovely, non-judgemental and supportive. ... View more

@drpenguin Great question. I think it depends on how much I have on my mind before bedtime. Usually only 15 minutes. Longest was over 30 mins ... View more

@Janine-RO @Tay100 4 consecutive days of reading slowly before bed and it is really helping! Managing to fall asleep much quicker. For me I think it is because it's distracting my mind from the other 10000 things racing around, so it is taking away the time laying in bed ruminating over my thoughts. Thank you so much for this advice!! ... View more

What a great time this thread has come up! / For me, recently I've been really struggling to fall asleep and when I wake up I am completely exhausted still. I will try @Milkninja222 suggestion of reading, and being mindful to read slowly as well, rather then past paced and rushed which i think will keep my mind too active. @Tay100 How interesting, I will definitely try this tomorrow morning. DO you have a specific alarm tone that is recommended for a soft tone? ... View more

1. Woke up feeling less tired then usual 2. Found time to sit and log onto ReachOut 3. Put a slow cooker meal on for dinner tonight ... View more

Today I'm proud of myself for recognizing I'm tired, sore and exhausted so I chose not to go to the gym this morning and will go to a class tonight instead. No need to force myself early morning if it will make me feel worse. ... View more

Share a funny/happy memory you have with a good friend  My recent funny/happy memory with a friend would be with one of my amazing girlfriends, and we actually happen to be housemates!! We were sitting outside in the sun doing some art together, listening to music and singing and be really silly. We took lots of funny selfies with my polaroid camera to capture the fun afternoon we spent together. What do you think helps to expand your friendship circle?  Meeting my partner has drastically expanded my friendship group/circle. I've made many more close friendships since being with him which I'm so grateful for.  This, however, is such a challenging thing to do, and I wonder whether I'd have the friendships that I do now, if it wasn't for meeting my partner.  When I was living alone and not in a relationship, I found this very hard to "expand my circle of friends". Going to the gym classes or yoga was a good way to meet people, just had to muster up the confidence to start small talk with people.    How do you cope with changing friendships? Change for anyone is a difficult and challenging time. I think it is important to practice self-care during these times, I like to be really open and communicate how I feel to my family, or close friends (whom the friendship isnt changing with).  Also talking to my counselor about these situations helps a lot, release some built-up emotions, or explore difficult situations. I believe difficult times are always times where lots of self-growth and expansion happens   ... View more

@Hozzles I'm excited about my big 10 week Canada trip next year!! What is your favourite flavour chocolate? ... View more

Today I am grateful for a day off so I can relax and take the day slowly. ... View more

I'v really enjoyed reading over all of these responses! Thank you everyone, I will ponder these questions and reply soon :) ... View more

Favourite ice-cream flavour?  So Good- Dairy-free chocolate icecream is yummmmm! But I'm also really loving the dairy-free magnums!    What do you consider to be the best TV show of all time? Atypical is really good! In my opinion, it portrays autism really well and the family dynamics are so typical of a normal family so It is really relatable when you watch it.    What is my favourite genre of music:  So.. I don't really listen to music however when I'm doing yoga I always put on the "yoga playlist" on Spotify.    If you could travel back in time, what time would you travel to?  I'd travel back to the last new years eve, I had the most amazing night with all of my friends and we danced and danced and I didn't want the night to be over!     Thank you @Janine-RO and welcome!  ... View more

@Esperanza67 I've read "Big little lies" as well and I'm the same as you, absolutely LOVED it!!! I havn't watched the TV series though as I can be quite skeptical of remakes of books, however, I am curious to see how they've done it! I'm going to watch it in my summer holidays! ... View more

@ecla34 Thank you for this great thread! Funnily has come at a really relevant time for me. I'm one for people-pleasing and notice myself saying yes to all social events, extra-curricular activities, extra work shifts ect.. I like being busy but I'm at the point in the trimester where all my assignments are becoming due so it is a high stress period and I absolutely need to take time for myself and not say yes to everything! Next week I'm going to try and practice saying "no" to social events that I'm not feeling 100% like going to! wish me luck.. ! ... View more

1. Had a good workout at the gym 2. spending the evening with my partner 3. finished off an essay today at uni ... View more

Today my self-care was walking in the sun to the train station instead of using the tram. I tried to use all my senses while i was walking. -I smelt a flower -noticed the beauty of the river I walked next to -listened to the cars and trams passing -tasted the tooth paste still lingering in my mouth -felt the ground beneath my feet ... View more

@ecla34 Sorry I was not online to participate, but i really enjoyed reading back over it all. Has got me thinking about self-positivity. Knowing that I'm doing what's best for me, regardless of other people's actions, beliefs or opinions is one aspect of self-positivity that I'm currently working on. It's so tough when you doubt yourself and compare, but in the end, positive self-talk and self-belief help so much. Reminding ourselves that WE know OURSELVES best! Thank you again for this reminder xox ... View more